Once Upon A Coffee

Chapter One: I am Hanna

''Hi, I am Hanna. I will be taking your order today Sir,'' Hanna said pulling out a writing pad and a pen.

''Hanna, you own this place don't you?'' The old man asked

''I do indeed Sir, do you like it?'' Hanna asked with a smile

''I love it here, it's so open, and everyone is respectful, By the way. I am Gregory. But I go by Greg' He said lending out his hand, Hanna shook.

''So what will it be for you today?'' Hanna asked

''I would like a cherry expresso, and a chocolate cookie'' Greg said

''Comin right up!'' Hanna smiled, walking over to the counter. ''Dan, Could you get this fine gentleman a chocolate cookie, and a cherry expresso?'' Hanna asked

'Sure can boss!' Dan smiled walking to the cookie cabinet, He pulled out two chocolate cookies. He than got a nice warm mug, and poured the cherry expresso pack into the cup, than made it. He handed it to Hanna, and hanna walked it over to the table. ''Thank you so much dear'' Greg smiled pulling out a magazine.

''You are very, very welcome Greg'' Hanna smiled ''Is that all you would like today?''

''For now'' Greg smiled. Hanna smiled back, than walked over, and behind the large counter. ''He is such a good man'' Dan said ''He's a regular since you opened''

''I know, he's a good man, I like seeing his friendly face'' Hanna said ''Business has been well in the past month I've opened''

''How long have you been in town?'' Dan asked

''A little over two months now'' Hanna said, 'It's nice, Quiet. I like it better than the city I lived in''

''That's nice, you use to live in the city of new York, right?'' Dan asked

''I did. I went to The high school of music and arts, than Julliard for college.'' Hanna said ''It was nice, up until my last semester''

''What happened the last semester?'' Dan asked

''I don't talk about it much, My mother passed away. It effected me, and my grades. I would have failed if I didn't get back on track, and so I did.. And now I'm here, working at my small town coffee and bakery'' Hanna said

''Lucky, normally people who come here wait months to even get an interview,'' Dan said

''Well I'm not normal, I got the money and found this run-down place, asked if I could buy it, re-did the inside, and out. Opened it, and that was that'' Hanna said ''Your my only employer too''

''Really, why no one else?' Dan asked

''I only want a two business thing'' Hanna said ''I like the quiet, remember? And the less staff, the less I have to worry.. I like it the two of us''

''You aren't hitting on me are you?'' Dan joked

''No, that would be wrong and unprofessional'' Hanna said ''Your like a brother more than anything' Hanna said ''I've never had a brother'

 Hanna walked over to Greg. ''How are things?''

''Awesome'' Greg said ''I loved the cookies, could I have the receipt?''

''Of course you can'' Hanna smiled walking over to the counter, and grabbing it, walking over and giving it to Greg. ''How will you pay today?''

''Debit'' Greg said

''Ok, ill give you a few more minutes'' Hanna smiled

''Thank you'' Greg said with a nice, kind smile.

Hanna walked into the back of her shop, and turned on the intercom stereo, the music channel set for the café was Folk and Country. The song on at the time was 'Every Little Thing'

''Are you a country girl?'' Dan asked, as Hanna came back out.

''Of course'' Hanna said ''Why else would I wear cowgirl boots, and the outfits I do?''

''I don't know, I thought maybe you were a chicken'' Dan joked giving Hanna a hug.

''Very Funny Daniel'' Hanna said pushing away, with a laugh. She grabbed the debit machine and walked over to Greg, handing it to him, 'ill be back over in one second.'

Hanna walked over to behind the counter, and got another chocolate cookie, and walked over to greg who was done paying. She handed it to him

''No dear, no'' Greg said

''No, it's ok. It's on me'' Hanna said ''I like to reward kindness''

''Wel lthank you'' Greg said leaving a hundred dollar bill on the table. Hanna didn't notice. He began to walk to the door. Hanna picked up the money, ''Greg, I cant accept this much'' Hanna said

''I want you to have it'' Greg said ''My treat''

''But it's to much, a five would be better'' Hanna said

''I will not take it back'' Greg smiled ''Have a beautiful night'' He smiled than walked out.

''Whoa, a hundred bucks'' Dan said ''Keep him comin!''

''I don't feel right accepting this'' Hanna said

''He wanted you to have it, so accept it'' Dan said ''He is a very kind man, and if he wants to tip big, let him'' Dan said

''Ya, I guess'' Hanna said ''Wanna lock up for me?''

''I cant, I have to get home to my kids and make them dinner'' Dan said, Hanna's expression dropped

''Y-You have kids?''

''No, I was just jokin around. I'm a single potato, Of course ill lock up'' Dan said

''Thank you'' Hanna smiled going into the back, and grabbing her purse, putting her apron on the hanger. She walked out and gave Dan a hug. ''See you tomorrow'' Hanna said flipping the open sign the closed.

Hanna walked out, into the fresh cold night. She liked it when it was chilly, because than she could actually curl up at home, and not feel bad about drinking warm eggnog and eating cold cookies. It was her little thing.

She walked to her small apartment, and went inside. She locked the door behind her, and sat on the couch. It was 8:45pm. The café closed at 8:30, Hanna left a little early. She pulled out her home phone, and dialed a phone number.

''Hanna'' A man said on the other line

''Hi dad, how have you been?'' Hanna asked

''I've been better'' He said

''I love you dad, never forget that'' Hanna smiled

''I know, an I love you too, How is everything?''

''Good dad, I Opened my café and bakery like I always dreamed to do, and I have this amazing co- worker, Dan. He's such a good guy'' Hanna said

''How old is he?'' Her dad asked

''My age, six months older'' Hanna said ''I think I might like him, but I don't know anything right now''

''I think what makes you happy, will make me happy'' Her dad said

''I wish I was home with you, I don't like you alone'' Hanna said

''I'm not alone'' He said ''I have a puppy''

'Aw' Hanna smiled ''Well I'm going to have a shower, ill call within a few days. Love you dad'' Hanna said

''I love you too'' He smiled.

Hanna hung up her phone, and put it on the receiver, and going to the shower. Her cell phone rang, 'Dan'. After 10 seconds the screen lit up, ''One missed call and one voicemail from Dan''.